Eunice Waller, Long-Time Waterford Teacher, Dies

Eunice McLean Waller, a former New London mayor who taught in Waterford for more than a half-century, died Friday. She was 90 years old.

Waller served as mayor of New London from 1988 to 1989, the first African-American to hold the office. Waller also served on the New London Board of Education for 10 years and has served as a member of the New London Board of Ethics. She taught for the Waterford Public Schools for 51 years, including 26 years at , before retiring in 1993.

Waller was a co-founder of the and served 20 years on the Board of Trustees. Following Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination in 1968, Waller and her husband established the . This has awarded scholarships each year to local seniors "through a selection process designed to measure dedication to learning, understanding of Dr. King's mission, demonstration of character and financial need."

Mayor Daryl Finizio ordered all city flags to be placed at half-mast in recognition of Waller.

"Today, New London lost a legend," he said. "We thank her for her service and pray for her and her family."